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Eczema

Eczema: Explained - with solutions for relief and management

from Nancy K Brown

WHAT ECZEMA MEANS ?

The term comes from the Greek 'ekzein', meaning "to boil out". Ek = out, zema = boiling - refers to the redness of the skin and the oozing of fluid from the skin, as if the skin is boiling !

   WHAT ECZEMA IS NOT:                                                                                         

• is not contagious !
• only affects certain ethnic groups - wrong, eczema can affect everyone - infants, children and adults alike, from any ethnic group.

   WHAT ECZEMA IS:

• the inability of the skin to retain water or moisture internally:
  • the skin's internal moisture reservoir (water reserve) is depleted and can not easily be replenished
  • this compromises skin's metabolism, circulation, oxygenation and cellular processes
  • causing excessive itching, which makes you scratch, which in turn leads to irritation, redness, swelling, minute papules, vesicles, weeping of skin, oozing and crusting
  • can lead to scaling, lichenification and often discoloration of the skin, and in severe cases skin damage and possible infection
• no known cure:
  • can and must be properly managed to get relief and avoid complications

• exact causes are unknown:
  • thought to result from a combination and interaction of hereditary / genetic, environmental and immunological factors
  • is part of a category of allergic or atopic conditions - related to hay fever and asthma
  • it can come and go, move around the body, as one area appears to clear-up, another flares-up

   HOW TO MANAGE YOUR ECZEMA:

• avoid the triggers which set off your eczema - to discover these, keep a diary, tracking when flare-ups occur
  • see below TRIGGERS for ECZEMA for helpful suggestions
• choose simple, quality, straight-forward skin care products - such as those offered by Nancy K Brown
  • products that are:
    • fragrance free   • colour free  • filler free   • soap free cleansers   • disinfectant free   • non-comedogenic   • non-allergenic  • alcohol free
       
       
  • quality Aloe Vera based skin and body care products, such as made by Nancy K Brown, offer great benefit for the relief and management of eczema
• no hot showers or baths - only luke warm water, and frequent
• no scrubbing of skin
• when towel drying - do not rub - pat dry
• HYDRATE and MOISTURIZE your skin, face and body immediately after bathing - twice daily
• keep nails short - to avoid breaking skin and getting potential infection
• wear soft fabric clothes - avoid rough, scratchy fibers and tight clothes

PRODUCTS FOR ECZEMA relief and management:

many advise constant moisturization of the skin - this advise misses one important point regarding eczema - the fact that the skin of eczema sufferers can not retain water internally, that the internal moisture reservoir is depleted - simply applying a moisturizer will not solve this issue.

Nancy K Brown has a unique simple 2 step solution - combine hydrator and moisturizer - for internal and external (surface) relief and management of your eczema - for face, body and hands:

• • the hydrator brings hydration (moisture) into the skin - helping to normalize metabolism and circulation - which in turn will reduce irritation, thus reducing redness, sensitivities, itching

    and the other eczema factors

  • moisturization helps seal in the hydration introduced with the hydrator, while also moisturizing and soothing the surface, further reducing irritation, redness and itching.

• for eczema face care Nancy K Brown offers:
  • the Sensitive / Dry / Fragile skin care regimen - offers all you need, including hydration and moisturization
  • with open or oozing ezcema, do not use the step 3 exfoliant found in the pack - for best results and your individual guidance call us.
  • as your skin and face wash cloth - use the ultra soft, non-irritating, non-abrading skin and face cleansing Facial Shammy / Sponge Cloth by Nancy K Brown to ensure your skin does not become irritated from rubbing - as will happen with traditional cloth face cloths.
• for eczema body care Nancy K Brown offers:
  • after bath or shower - dab excess water off with towel - almost immediately follow with
  • 1st - apply Aloe Vera Gel Hydrator liberally - for hydration (internal moisture delivery - into the skin - to replenish the skin's moisture reservoir)    then follow with
  • 2nd - the Aloe Moisture Lotion - for surface moisturization - (to lock in the hydration brought in by the Aloe Vera Gel Hydrator and moisturize the skin's surface)
  • after the skin on the body has normalized you can begin using the Hand & Body Lotion + Glycolic Acid, in conjunction with the Aloe Vera Gel Hydrator
• for eczema hand care Nancy K Brown offers:
  • 1st - apply Aloe Vera Gel Hydrator liberally for hydration (internal moisture delivery - into the skin - to replenish the skin's moisture reservoir)    then follow with
  • 2nd - the All Purpose Creme for surface moisturization - (to lock in the hydration brought in by the Aloe Vera Gel Hydrator and moisturize the skin's surface)
  • for additional help you can use the Nancy K Brown Moisture Lock Gloves to help protect your hands
  • after skin on hands has normalized you can begin using the Hand Rescue Salve to fully repair your hands in conjunction with the Aloe Vera Gel Hydrator

    TRIGGERS FOR ECZEMA:

            (these are the most common, but not an exhaustive list, many more exist, as eczema is a highly individual

             condition):

• Irritants:
  • soaps and detergents
  • shampoos and dish washing liquids
  • bubble bath
  • disinfectants - such as chlorine, triclosane, tea tree oil, etc.
  • contact with juices from fresh fruit, meats and vegetables
• Allergens:
  • dust mites
  • pet hair and dander
  • pollen
  • molds
  • dandruff
• Climate:
  • swings in temperature - high and low - difficult for skin to adjust
  • swings in humidity - high and low - difficult for skin to adjust
  • wind burn
  • sun burn
• Physical activity:
  • exercise - perspiration from
  • saunas
  • hot yoga
• Hormones - women are especially susceptible to this category:
  • changing levels of hormones, such as during certain times in menstrual cycle or pregnancy
• Foods:
  • dairy products
  • eggs
  • nuts and seeds
  • soy products
  • wheat
• Stress - causes hormone fluctuations, triggering processes in the body to elevated levels.

   TYPES OF ECZEMA:

• Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD):
  • reaction of skin when has come into contact with substance or item that causes an immune system reaction
• Atopic dermatitis:
  • chronic skin condition
  • commonly starts during infancy, continues into childhood
  • can be outgrown by some, others continue to suffer through adulthood
  • atopic refers to a number of conditions for which there is inherited predisposition
    • includes dermatitis (inflammation of the skin, asthma and hay fever)
• Discoid eczema:
  • most often found in adults
  • appears all of a sudden as a number of coin shaped areas of red skin
  • usually on lower legs or trunk
• Dyshidriotic eczema:
  • irritation of the skin on palms of the hands or soles of the feet
  • characterized by blisters
• Irritant contact eczema:
  • localized reaction where skin has come into contact with an allergen
• Neurodermatitis:
  • scaly skin patches on head, wrists, forearms and lower legs
  • caused by event such as insect bite, which results in localized itching
• Nummular eczema:
  • patches of circular irritated skin, can be crusted, scaling and itchy
• Seborrheic eczema:
  • scaly, yellowish, oily skin patches, most often found on scalp and face
• Adult seborrheic eczema:
  • affects adults between 20 - 40 years of age
  • usually found on scalp as mild dandruff
  • can spread to face, ears and chest
  • skin becomes red, inflamed and begins to flake
  • cause thought to be yeast growth in area affected
• Infantile seborrheic eczema (also known as cradle cap):
  • affects babies less than 1 year old
  • start normally on scalp or nappy area, spreads quickly
  • looks bad, but is not sore nor itchy, gives no discomfort to the baby
  • usually goes away after a few months
• Stasis dermatitis (also known as varicose eczema):
  • skin irritation (erythema and scaling) on lower legs, usual caused by circulatory problems

   COMPLICATIONS from ECZEMA (possible):

• skin infections - due to breaking of the skin as a result of scratching
• eczema herpeticum - skin become infected with the herpes simplex virus
• neurodermatitis - increased sensation of itching, result of long-term itching and scratching
  • area becomes thick and leathery in appearance. Patches can be red and darker than surrounding skin.

STILL AT A LOSS - GIVE NANCY K. BROWN A CALL FOR YOUR PERSONAL CONSULTATION at 800.665.4407

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any unusual or troubling symptom or condition.

All testimonials or endorsements of our products reflect the personal experience of individuals who are expressing their opinions, and may not be representative of what all consumers may achieve. Additionally, these testimonials are not intended to make claims that these products can be used to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. These claims have not been clinically proven or evaluated by the FDA. All testimonials are the sole opinions or experiences of our customers; we do not compensate for testimonials.

this informational service is brought to you by Nancy K. Brown Aesthetics, Inc.

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